The Shortcut Chef: Mix & Match Marinades

Ready-made marinades or simple DIY blends let you flavor proteins and veggies in advance—making meals both quicker and tastier.

Why This Shortcut Matters

Pre-marinating transforms the simplest ingredients into bold, delicious dishes with minimal extra work, and saves cooking time by letting flavors develop while you multitask.

Step-by-Step Shortcut

• Step 1: Whisk together a quick marinade—try olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and your favorite herbs or spices.

• Step 2: Coat proteins or veggies, then refrigerate for anywhere from 20 minutes to overnight.

• Step 3: Prep twice as much as you need—extra marinated portions can be frozen for a future shortcut.

• Step 4: Cook as usual—the flavors are built in, so there’s no need for sauce or extra seasoning.

"Spice a dish with love and it pleases every plate." – Plautus

Extra Chef’s Tip

Save leftover marinade and use it for salad dressings or as a dip—no waste, just more taste.

Shortcut Summary

Mixing up marinades ahead of time means every meal is packed with flavor and finished in record time—perfect for any busy student chef.

Add Your Shortcut Below

Have your own go-to marinade or flavor hack? Share your best creations in the comments and help fellow Shortcut Chefs level up every meal!